Faith for Tomorrow

It was by faith that the walls of Jericho fell after the people had marched around them for seven days.

It was by faith that Rahab, the prostitute, welcomed the spies and was not killed with those who refused to obey God.

Do I need to give more examples? I do not have time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Through their faith they defeated kingdoms. They did what was right, received God’s promises, and shut the mouths of lions. They stopped great fires and were saved from being killed with swords. They were weak, and yet were made strong. They were powerful in battle and defeated other armies. Women received their dead relatives raised back to life. Others were tortured and refused to accept their freedom so they could be raised from the dead to a better life. Some were laughed at and beaten. Others were put in chains and thrown into prison. They were stoned to death, they were cut in half, and they were killed with swords. Some wore the skins of sheep and goats. They were poor, abused, and treated badly. The world was not good enough for them! They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and holes in the earth.

All these people are known for their faith, but none of them received what God had promised. God planned to give us something better so that they would be made perfect, but only together with us. (Hebrews 11:30-40, New Century Version)

Even though I’ve read through the entire Bible twice, I don’t remember this chapter of Hebrews. It sure sticks out to me now.

All the people in the Bible who had nothing else except for faith in God. Faith that there would be enough water to drink, enough food to eat. Faith that God would make things right. Faith that God would save them in the end. Faith that their struggles would be worth it.

There is so much going on right now, from the circle of people I know and love, to my town, to my country, and out there in the world. Will this pandemic ever end? Will we be at war with Russia in the coming months? Will the freedoms we take for granted be taken from us?

Worry and anxiety won’t answer any of those questions. Maybe faith won’t either, but faith will let us sleep at night and will give us hope in the new day.